Social Care
Greater certainty is needed on social care reform
The Spending Review was a missed chance to provide adequate funding and a firm basis for the reforms the Government has committed to bring forward, says Dr Eleanor Roy.
Ofsted warns of unseen child abuse
Opportunities to protect children at risk of harm are being missed due to the pandemic, Ofsted has warned.
SPENDING REVIEW: Live to fight another year
Local government has probably got just about enough from the chancellor to keep the show on the road, says Jonathan Werran. 'And possibly extend the road for the sake of kicking the familiar battered can that is social care funding down it...'
Spending Review: NHS receives £3bn funding boost
The chancellor has announced £18bn will be spent on preventative coronavirus measures next year, including vaccines, testing and personal protective equipment.
How to cut debt and fund our social care
A flat-rate health and social care levy to raise £17bn was a centrepiece of a new study last week. Michael Burton looks at the figures and reports from a webinar on the public finances with ex-chancellor Philip Hammond.
Birmingham loses a political giant
Brigid Jones pays tribute to Theresa Stewart – the only woman to have led Britain’s largest local authority – and says her ‘legacy lives on in the women councillors she encouraged and inspired’.
Report proposes sweeping tax increases
A new health and social care tax raising £17bn should be the centrepiece of sweeping tax increases to raise £40bn a year, according to a new report from think-tank the Resolution Foundation.
Intelligence, tested
Peter Baeck says an enhanced understanding of how to make the most of collective intelligence will ensure public institutions are better placed to respond to the pandemic – and prepare for any others that follow.
The power of local knowledge
A report show the impressive record of collaboration between Leeds City Council and the University of Leeds and untapped potential for research partnerships, says Neil Evans.
Healthy life expectancy target well off track, report finds
The Government is in danger of a lost decade with its target of increasing healthy life expectancy by five years by 2035 well off track, according to a report from right-of-centre think-tank Policy Exchange.
We have proved that councils are the place for social care - ADASS
The ‘joining up’ work done by local government during the pandemic has made it clear to Government and Whitehall that social care ‘needs a home’ in councils, says the president of ADASS.
Care home occupancy down over Grim Reaper fears
People are reluctant to put their relatives into care homes because they think the ‘Grim Reaper is waiting at the gate,’ a senior councillor has warned.
Council leaders welcome £7bn care investment call
Local government leaders have welcomed a call from MPs for a £7bn annual increase in social care funding as a first step towards fixing the ongoing crisis.
Advocacy services remain crucial despite COVID pressures
Councils must ensure social care providers understand that the legal obligations to refer to advocacy services remain fully in place during COVID, says Jonathan Senker.
Digitising the front door to care
A new 'white paper' report by consultancy Agilisys outlines how technology can help lead the rethink of the care sector. Author Steve Morgan talks to Michael Burton of The MJ about some of the solutions.
Using technology to help in the second wave
The pandemic has opened people’s eyes to the possibilities of technology in social care and this winter the benefits are going to be more important than ever, says Mark Kennion.
Get local government into the room – before decisions are made
Local government is far from perfect, says Heather Jameson. 'And that is before you consider the huge headache of how to fund councils in future. But local government is also the solution'.
Call for multi-year funding
Ministers have been urged to commit to multi-year settlements for local government by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).
Starmer vows to tackle the 'decade of drift' on sorting social care
Government failure to protect care homes during the pandemic is a ‘national scandal’, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told his party’s virtual conference today.
Government prepares care homes for coronavirus surge
Councils will be asked to ‘take strong action’ against care homes that ignore new restrictions on movement as part of the Government’s winter plan for the sector.
